The management of Wisdom Gate International School in Eligbolo, near Port Harcourt, has urged the Rivers State Government to reconsider its decision to suspend the school’s academic activities following the tragic death of a two-year-old pupil.
In addition, several stakeholders have called on both the government and the grieving parents of Wynnie Akakue, the pupil who died after a bookshelf fell on her as she slept in class, to show understanding and compassion in light of the incident.
After the March 17 tragedy, Wynnie’s parents, Dr. Iasuaka Akakue and Mrs. Chinyere Akakue, accused the school of attempting a cover-up and demanded justice for their daughter. Their outcry prompted the Rivers State Government to order the closure of Wisdom Gate International School, Campus 1, in Elimgbo.
The state’s Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, stated that the school would remain closed until all matters related to the incident are thoroughly resolved.
However, some parents now say the ongoing closure is disrupting their children’s education and leaving teachers without work.
School proprietress Toyon Obikoya described the suspension as shocking and pleaded with both the government and Wynnie’s parents for mercy and understanding. “The children in Wisdom Gate International School are our children. Our commissioner is a father figure to us, and we respect his decision to suspend activities. But we are appealing for mercy because the education of other children is also at stake. As a law-abiding institution, we cannot act against the government’s directive, but many parents are desperate for a solution,” she said.
Obikoya emphasized the school’s deep sorrow over the tragedy and stated that the school has made efforts to reach out to the bereaved family. “The family asked us to communicate through their lawyer. We travelled to their hometown in Tai, Ogoni Kingdom, and met with the bishop of the Anglican Diocese, who introduced us to Wynnie’s grandparents. We also visited Etche to meet the bishop again. These efforts were made purely out of empathy, not intimidation,” she explained. She further noted that the case is now in court, and the school is fully cooperating with authorities.
One parent, identified as Cynthia, described the incident as heartbreaking: “I have lost a child before, so I understand the pain. We can’t bring Wynnie back, but we are pleading for empathy. Wisdom Gate has been good to our children, both academically and morally. Many of us are struggling; my own blood pressure is rising from the stress.”
While sharing in the Akakue family’s grief, other parents voiced concerns about the impact of the school’s closure on their children and on teachers’ livelihoods. “We are not trying to diminish the family’s pain, but closing the school is creating serious problems for us. I am struggling to find a new school for my daughter, and many teachers could lose their jobs,” another parent said through tears.
